4 Changes to Make Your Family’s Routine More Energy Efficient

As a father, you may be searching for ways to make your home more energy-efficient. It can help the environment and save your family money in the long-term. Luckily, there are simple things you can do. Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve the installation of a DIY wind farm in your backyard. Although, that would be pretty impressive if you can swing it. Read on to learn about 4 small but effective changes you can implement to make your home more energy-efficient.

1. Choose an Alternative Energy Provider

In some areas, you can change energy providers. This is because of energy deregulation. Not many homeowners know this secret tip. You can choose an energy provider that is different from the traditional provider. This leads to many advantages.

One major impact this will have is on your budget. When a consumer only has one option, they can get locked into steep rates. With the power to choose a provider, you can easily compare the best electricity rates.

The option of choosing your energy supplier means you have more say about what kinds of energy you are using to power your home. Maybe you want to use renewable energy sources in your home such as wind power and solar power. If so, you are more likely to find a company offering those options when you can choose from a variety of providers. Research energy laws in your town to see what kinds of options are at your disposal.

2. Energy-Efficient Bulbs

One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is to change out your lightbulbs. If you are using traditional incandescent light bulbs, you are spending too much money in the long run. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the energy given off by traditional incandescent bulbs is 90% heat. Unfortunately, this is massively inefficient.

They encourage people to install CFL, LED, and halogen incandescent bulbs instead. These kinds of bulbs are approved as energy-efficient. These types of bulbs last longer than traditional bulbs and will help you save money on your bills.

3. Turning Things Off When Not in Use

We all heard it from our parents when we were kids, “Turn off the lights!” Well, as with a lot of things, it turns out they were right. To manage your energy resources, you should have rules in place. These rules dictate how well and how often you use items in your home.

Whenever you aren’t using something, teach your kids to unplug it from the wall. Tell them to turn off the lights when they leave a room. And don’t just tell but model these behaviors by sticking to it yourself.

When you are using your sinks, try to avoid leaving the water on if you aren’t directly using it. For example, turn it off when you are brushing your teeth. When you take a shower or water your lawn, try to cut down on how long it takes you to perform that task.

4. Consider Your Transportation Options

Transportation is another topic when it comes to living green. If you are thinking about getting a new vehicle, consider getting a hybrid or even an electric vehicle. Energy-efficient vehicles are growing in popularity.

Because of this, there are a variety of family-friendly options on the market. You should also encourage your family to take public transport whenever possible. You may even enjoy getting them into the wonderful world of biking.

Now that you know a few techniques for living a greener life, put them into action. At the same time though, remember to explain to your children why you want to make these changes. If you can teach them about why it is important to live green and what they can do to help, it is likely to have a lasting impact on them and the world.